A Song for When… You Want to Belong With God
I heard a brand new song the other day that won me over within seconds. It just had that amazing feel to it! The lyrics of the first verse and chorus immediately made me a forever fan. Are you ready to become a forever fan of “Mt. Zion,” by Josiah Queen?
This song starts by reminding us of our place as part of the fallen human race. It says:
I am a dead man wanderin’ the desert, longing for a home … I am not worthy, nor am deserving … To come close to God’s own throne
It’s not necessarily a happy thought to consider, but it is true. On our own, we are dead in our sins. We are not worthy or deserving to be anywhere near God’s glorious throne. As Isaiah 64:6 says, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” On our own, apart from God, we’ve got nothing going for us.
How do we fix this serious problem? It’s as simple as inviting Jesus into our hearts and drawing near to Him in full surrender. Here’s how the chorus of “Mt. Zion” goes:
But with You, I belong, I belong with You … In Your presence, I belong, I belong with You … He said, “My love is deep, My love is wide. … It’s a journey, it’s a climb … Know it every second, every mile … You belong here on Mount Zion.”
Even in our sinful state, Jesus invites us in! He extends a never-ending invitation to people like us who are on the struggle bus. The very next chapter of Isaiah says: “All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations” (Isaiah 65:2). We belong with Him! He knows it, and deep down in our hearts, we know it, too. God desires to dwell together with us. (Read this for Biblical proof!)
If you ever, for even a moment, doubt that you could ever belong in God’s presence, this song can help you remember what is true. YOU BELONG WITH HIM. If you’re stuck in a season of feeling unworthy, let this Bible verse encourage you to approach God with boldness no matter what mistakes you may have made in the past hour, day, week, month or year:
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. -Hebrews 4:16
Still unconvinced? Do you feel like just putting your head down and keeping some distance from God until you get things back on track? Josiah Queen has some words for you, too:
You can run, but you can’t hide … ‘Cause I’ve got plans for your life … Know it every second, every mile … You belong here on Mount Zion
Did you hear that? YOU BELONG WITH HIM. You belong in the presence of our amazing God. He has plans for you, and just because you might be in a rough patch, that doesn’t mean those divine plans go away.
One other stanza of the song that I skipped over feels perfect to include at the end because it can become a prayer for you to speak to the Lord. If you’re longing to be in the presence of the Lord, simply tell Him.
I see Your glory, Your fire is consuming … It’s burning deep in my bones … Jesus, I long to be in Your presence … Come make my heart Your throne
“Being in His presence” doesn’t just mean existing in His physical presence after your life on earth ends. You can invite Jesus into your heart and live with the Holy Spirit inside of you all day every day. Walking through each day aware of God’s Spirit in you is a serious gamechanger.
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. -Psalm 16:11
Now don’t even think about stopping with only reading the lyrics on this song… You’ve just got to look it up and listen! I promise you’ll be singing it all day long. ♥️